What Every Pregnant Woman Needs To Know About Hypothyroidism

Do you know that the American Thyroid Association has issued multiple public health statements to warn about the dangers of hypothyroidism and pregnancy?[1] Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, increases the risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, still birth, infertility, maternal anemia, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, premature delivery, low birth weight and deficits in intellectual development in infants.[2][3] Despite the warnings, not all doctors know the ramifications of an undiagnosed or under-treated thyroid condition on a mother and her fetus, and very few patients know the facts to insist on proper testing.

I learned this the hard way. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism the year following the birth of my first son in 2006. I trusted my doctors and followed their thyroid drug protocol to the letter never once thinking they might not know everything there was to know about hypothyroidism. I trusted them as the experts especially when I became pregnant again in late 2008. This is the biggest regret of my life. My Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) rose far above the recommended reference range for pregnancy and I miscarried my child. My doctor had clearly never read the Endocrine Society guidelines for pregnancy.

There is ongoing debate over universal thyroid screening in pregnancy. The argument is that there is insufficient evidence at this time to recommend for or against universal thyroid testing at the first trimester visit, however the scientific research is mounting to show that even mild thyroid dysfunction can have serious adverse effects on mother and child.

What happens to all the women and their babies while we wait for thyroid screening to become universal in pregnancy?

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists issued a press release in January 2003 warning that 1 in 10 Americans suffered from thyroid disease yet half, over 13 million, remain undiagnosed.[4] The Thyroid Federation International claims up to 300 million people worldwide suffer from thyroid problems, yet over half are unaware of their condition. According to TFI, thyroid problems are eight times more common in women than in men.[5]

Given these statistics there are pregnant women worldwide this very minute with thyroid disease but they don’t know they have it and their doctors are not aware they are at high-risk. Women will experience miscarriage, still birth, infertility, maternal anemia, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, premature delivery, and births of babies with intellectual development deficits, but they will have no idea their thyroid was to blame.

Take Charge Of Your Thyroid Health

Every woman planning to get pregnant, should get their thyroid tested pre-conception and then again as soon as possible in their first trimester of pregnancy. In early pregnancy the fetus is dependent on the mother to supply the thyroid hormones essential for brain development. If the mother is hypothyroid, she may not be able to supply her fetus with enough thyroid hormones, putting the fetus at risk. Thyroid levels change quickly in pregnancy, so do not delay.

Thyroid testing is currently not mandatory in pregnancy. If your doctor refuses thyroid testing because they do not consider it necessary in prenatal medical care, make your case. In November 2011 The American Thyroid Association updated their guidelines for the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease during pregnancy. According to the new guidelines:[6]

Women who are at high risk for thyroid dysfunction and may benefit from selected screening during pregnancy include those with the following attributes:

Women with a history of thyroid dysfunction and/or thyroid surgery.

Women with a family history of thyroid disease.

Women with a goiter.

Women with thyroid antibodies.

Women with symptoms or clinical signs suggestive of hypothyroidism. It is important to note that women with overt hypothyroidism are not invariably symptomatic.

Women with type I diabetes, in whom the rate of development of new onset hypothyroidism in pregnancy was 16% in one series.

Women with infertility should have screening with TSH as part of their infertility work-up. The prevalence of hypothyroidism (overt and subclinical) among infertile women ranged from 1% to 43% in different studies.

Women with prior therapeutic head or neck irradiation.

Women with morbid obesity. A body mass index greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2 has been associated with an increased prevalence of hypothyroidism.

Women age 30 or older. The prevalence of hypothyroidism increases with age.

There are good doctors who understand the importance of testing thyroid for pregnancy. Be an advocate for yourself and your child and find a good doctor, even if that means meeting 10 doctors until you find the one that helps.

My hope is to see the day when every woman planning to conceive and every woman who is pregnant receives comprehensive thyroid screening. Universal thyroid screening in pregnancy is my life’s mission. I will make it happen in memory of my unborn child so that not one more baby is lost needless to maternal thyroid disease. Enough is enough.

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Dana Trentini M.A., Ed.M., founded Hypothyroid Mom October 2012 in memory of the unborn baby she lost to hypothyroidism. This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for consulting your physician regarding medical advice pertaining to your health. Hypothyroid Mom includes affiliate links including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Connect with Dana on Google+

Comments

9 weeks pregnant and was just diagnosised with hypothyroidisam. was told me and baby are in danger. Dr. making me wait until Feb. 22 to see high risk doctor to get any medication. Are there anything that I can do in the mean time to help myself and my baby. Just had a baby August 9 born 5 weeks and 6 days early I am sure I have had this for a long time. Have been to doctor with several of these symptoms. Was just told today I would more than likely miscarry this baby. Please any help would be very appreciated.

I hope you are well and that you don’t mind me asking you a question. I lost a baby in 2014 and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of my son in 2015. I am now again pregnant (due in Feb) and am wondering how often I should have my thyroid tested.

I tested at 8 weeks when my doc said I should up the dosage and he again let me test at 12 weeks. When I requested a repeat script for the medication, I asked what the right interval of time is to test (currently 18 weeks) for the rest of the pregnancy as well as afterwards. My response to my question was a paper for the pathology lab to do the test again.

Is it necessary to do the tests once a month? I by no means want to take chances (so will do so happily if I am sure it is needed) but it is also expensive in South Africa to pay for these tests on a monthly basis.